1986 Volvo 740: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
140,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Wiring is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 25.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 |
Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1996: 1; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Wiring leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10555824 · 2013-12-12 (December 12, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 VOLVO 740 GLE (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO PASS STATE EMISSIONS STANDARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A STATE CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10555824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 741115 · 2001-02-19 (February 19, 2001)
FORWARD RUBBER BUSHING TEARS MUCH TO OFTEN. IM AFRAID ONE DAY, THAT THE DRIVESHAFT WILL FALL AND HIT STREET , CAUSE A SPARK AND START A FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 741115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 784441 · 2000-01-19 (January 19, 2000)
CONSUMER BELIEVES WIRING PROBLEM EXISTED WHICH CAUSED PLASTIC ODOR AND FIRE TO START WHEN CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM NEAR THE GEAR SHIFTER, FLAMES APPEARED AND THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS COMPLETELY INCINERATED, ENGINE RELATIVELY UNDAMAGED. *ET
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 784441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 985479 · 1996-06-11 (June 11, 1996)
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT FAILED, BROKE CONSUMER NECK, PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985479 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
86V083000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch
Reported: 1986-06-24 (June 24, 1986)
THE TAILGATE CHILD LOCK CAN BE OPENED FROM INSIDE WHEN THE CHILD LOCK IS ENGAGED. THE FEATURE TO PREVENT THE TAILGATE FROM BEING OPERATED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE STATION WAGON MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF A CHILD IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED IN AN APPROVED RESTRAINT SYSTEM, AS REQUIRED BY MANY STATE LAWS, AND IS ALLOWED TO RIDE IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT, HE/SHE MAY OPEN THE TAILGATE INADVERTENTLY AND FALL OUT INTO THE TRAFFIC.
Remedy: REPLACE TAILGATE LATCHES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V064000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Reported: 1987-05-11 (May 11, 1987)
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS COULD CHAFE AGAINST AN AIR CONDITIONING PIPE.
Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUIT AND MALFUNCTIONING OF THE ELECTRICALSYSTEM, AS WELL AS CHARRING OF THE WIRING INSULATION, COULD RESULT.
Remedy: RELOCATE WIRING HARNESS AND SECURE WITH A NEW BRACKET AND CLAMP.
NHTSA campaign record ↗89V204000 · Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
Reported: 1989-11-17 (November 17, 1989)
DRIVESHAFT COULD CONTACT THE FUEL TANK AND SCORE AND SCRAPE OUTER SURFACES OF THE TANK AT THE POINT OF CONTACT.
Consequence: A SMALL LEAK COULD DEVELOP WHICH COULD , IN THE PRESENCEOF AN IGNITION SOURCE, RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANK AND/OR INSTALL PROTECTIVE DEVICE BETWEEN DRIVESHAFT AND THE TANK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V075000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1991-05-06 (May 6, 1991)
SAFETY BELTS ARE DESIGNED TO BE ROUTED UNDER A DIAGONAL CROSS BRACE DURING FASTENING. THE INSTRUCTIONAL LABELS FOR THE BELT ROUTING ARE INADEQUATE, AND CAN RESULT IN INADVERTENT RELEASE OF THE BELT BUCKLE.
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SAFETY BELT MISUSE COULD CAUSE THE SEAT OCCUPANT TO FACE GREATER RISK OF INJURY IN A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE ACCIDENT IF AN INADVERTENT RELEASE OF THE SAFETY BELT OCCURRED.
Remedy: INSTALL LABELS TO INSTRUCT THE USER IN PROPER SAFETY BELT ROUTING; ALSO REPLACE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗